Michael Jackson will always remain a force. I am so irritated at people comparing his death to ****ing Aaliyah's on other boards. They are both sad, but Aaliyah definitely had no direct impact on the industry-- but I'm sure if she didn't die, the industry would be a lot different. I definitely agree that Timbaland wouldn't be where he is now if she were alive..
but yeah, MJ is clearly the influential artist here